Starseeker

One of the reasons I prefer music to 'songs' is that there is no set story or purpose behind music. And composers don't feel the urge to inject words like 'love', 'baby' and 'yeah' to make sure the listener likes what they are hearing. One piece of music can mean a hundred different things to a hundred different people. One of the main reasons I like film scores so much is that the pictures have been removed from the music, letting see your own pictures in your head.Such logic is strongly used in this book. I'd never read any books by Tim Bowler before this so it was a total random purchase, and I'm glad I did because I liked it very much. The story is of Luke Stanton and his troubles with being a teenager, struggling with so many burdens, and the death of his dad. He's a great pianist and everyone is his 'quaint little English village' says so. Though he's hanging around with the wrong crowd and they want him to break into some old lady's house so they can get their hands on her jewellery box.I'd definitely recommend this to any teenager struggling to find a good book for English class. It's not in-your-face, it doesn't raise the bar of extremities, there is no ugliness, it doesn't condescend. It's just a great story told in a peaceful environment. (Tim Bowler's fictional town is so well described you can be fully orientated as to where everything is). A shame that Bowler never reached this height again, though I'm not writing him off yet.Oh, and my copy is signed by him too. Just wanted to show off.

I am next in line to read this book after my 2 daughters aged 11 and 14. They couldn't put it down!Book Review for ‘Starseeker’ by my 11 year old daughter, EmmaThe wonderful novel -‘Starseeker’- was first published by oxford university press in 2002. The author Tim Bowler starts the adventure with Luke Stanton –the protagonist- hearing, but not seeing, a little girl crying. This fictional tale follows Luke trough his problems which started when his beloved father died of cancer. Ever since Luke joined the gang (Skin, Daz and Speedy) Luke finds himself in trouble with everyone! In addition Mrs Little has secrets that are best left as secrets. The main characters: Luke Stanton, Mrs Little and Natalie all have a very unusual bond. Mrs Little and Luke have both lost loved ones that they find hard to get over. In addition Natalie and Luke share a rare and unique talent which means they can hear things from far away. Additionally they can see colours and pictures in music. This spine-tingling book wasn't something I would usually choose to read. However, I was pulled in to the adventure and emotion of Luke’s hard life almost as soon as I opened the book. I would definitely recommend this novel for ages 11+ as it has quite a hard hitting story line. Even adults would enjoy this book! ‘Starseeker’ is brilliant; I know you will love it! Love, fear, trust, hate, and pure friendship- this gripping novel has it all! My mind was captured by ‘Starseeker’ from the beginning of page 1 to the end of page 323! No wonder Tim Bowler and ‘Starseeker’ won the Carnegie medal!Happy Reading!

I have had this book for a while, I think maybe I was a little reluctant to start it once I realised I'd bought a book aimed at young adults but from the first page, I was hooked! This book has everything - wonderful, beautifully drawn characters a strong story and even a touch of magic. Luke's struggles to come to terms with his father's death, his alienation from his mother, resentment at life's 'unfairness' and being drawn into the dark world of Skin and his friends. I actually read the last half in one sitting, I just couldn't put the book down!I found the 'other wordly' touches very interesting, too - not 'fantastical' enough to detract from a down to earth tale but some very interesting ideas from the author about life and death and the firmament. Read it, you won't be disappointed.

Luke is a 14 year-old boy on the wrong side of a gang and soon to be on the wrong side of the law. He hears sounds that no-one else can, sees colours in his mind and plays the piano like a prodigy. He entirely entranced me. I haven't had a book that I have been this reluctant to put down in a while and I read an awful lot! Beautiful descriptions of Luke's relationships and synesthesia will keep you in the books spell as things go from bad to worse in Luke's life - but an unexpected (for want of a better word) friendship will change everything.Truly a wonderful book. Read it!

I read this book when I was in my first year of secondary school. I'd forgotten the name but couldn't forget the book. I stumbled across it by accident and immediately brought a new copy. I've just re-read it years later and it's just as good as I remembered. 10/10 would recommend.